Bookshelf

The path to literary success rarely follows a straight line. That was the case for mystery novelist Jill Orr. After getting her bachelor’s degree in journalism at the University of Missouri, Orr worked in advertising. Eventually she went…

By nature, Gladys Swan is an explorer and a creator. In both painting and writing, Swan patiently waits for her work to evolve and explain itself. “What comes to me and through me, I play with,” says Swan. “What happens after that or how…

Photo courtesy of L.G. Patterson Anand Prahlad, the director of creative writing at the University of Missouri–Columbia, is known for his engaging teaching style, work in folklore, mbira music and poetry. Recently, Prahlad diverged from…

Photo courtesy of L.G. Patterson In 2008, Governor Matt Blunt appointed Ashland resident Walter Bargen as Missouri’s first Poet Laureate. The position allowed the prolific poet to interact with Missourians in a unique way, as media…

With “Mongolian Interior: An Expatriate Experience,” a collection of creative nonfiction stories, Lori Younker has joined Columbia’s growing list of published authors. As an educator specializing in Teaching English as a Second Language…

Columbia’s William (Bill) Claassen encapsulates a unique paradox of silence and volume. He speaks gently of yoga, meditation, monastic retreats and the therapeutic benefits of movement and dance. “I prefer silence,” says Claassen. Yet,…

When studying the rich tapestry of Columbia’s writing community, Steve Weinberg is a repeating pattern. His threads are integral, colorful and diverse. With over four decades of journalism experience, Weinberg has created a solid foundation…

Columbia is filled with many residents who have an idea for a book. What makes Columbia unique is the percentage of people who invest in their idea all the way through to publication. Sean Frazier is a new addition to that ever-growing…

Just in time for springtime hammock reading, Prospect Park Books has released “The Good Byline: A Riley Ellison Mystery,” by Jill Orr. The light, humorous mystery deserves a weekend session of fresh air. Author Jill Orr knew what she…

Alex George is a busy man. Author, attorney, husband and father, George is also the director and founder of Columbia’s Unbound Book Festival. As the festival approaches, it promises to be a stellar second-year event…

Rachel Hall and Joseph Polacco do not know one another, yet their intertwined universes are undeniable. Both are celebrating recent publications. Hall is gaining recognition for Heirlooms, a collection of expertly crafted short stories that…

Lynn Rossy, Ph.D. wants us to take a moment. And, if we are being honest, we could really use it. Each of us has stressors, distracting us and pulling our focus away from our day-to-day lives. In particular, our relationship with food…

photos by of L.G. Patterson In April of 2016, the inaugural Unbound Book Festival filled Columbia with bookish enthusiasm. From the keynote event at the Missouri Theatre, where Mark Doty chatted casually with Michael Ondaatje in front…

photo by L.G. Patterson Aliki Barnstone, Missouri’s poet laureate, was an artistic but shy girl. Raised in a family of writers and artists, her childhood was filled with imagination and creation. She was just 12 when Macmillan published…

photos by Kayla Wolf Columbia author Carolyn Mulford creates strong storylines enhanced by thorough research honed through her years as a journalist and non-fiction writer. In both her award-winning Show Me mystery series for adults and…

Arrowood Book Launch Join author Laura McHugh for a discussion and book signing of her second novel, Arrowood 7 p.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 9 Barnes & Noble, Columbia Mall 2208 Bernadette Drive After working in information technology…

Writing a novel is not a social experience. I favor writing in isolation, where my fictional world can expand. Twice a week, I push my limits and step out of my bubble. I exchange work with other authors, learning, critiquing and…

In a fascinating evolution, society is embracing a new surge of intentional living. One such transformation is found in world traveler Colin Wright. “I still can’t believe this whole travel thing worked out,” says Wright, who spent most…

“I am my mother’s fourth child and my father’s thirty-ninth.” So begins The Sound of Gravel, a riveting coming-of-age memoir by Ruth Wariner. Equal parts harrowing and heart-wrenching, Wariner offers an unsparing account of her childhood in…

In a fascinating evolution, society is embracing a new surge of intentional living. One such transformation is found in world traveler Colin Wright. “I still can’t believe this whole travel thing worked out,” says Wright, who spent most…